Networking Your Way In: Securing a Technical Position in the Professional Services Sector
In the ever-evolving digital landscape, the professional services industry is embracing technology to serve clients more effectively and efficiently. The sector is poised to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5%, reaching a staggering $7 billion by 2027.
The demand for tech talent is on the rise, with nearly half (45%) of all professional services firms citing "effectively using data" as a prevailing challenge. As a result, roles such as data analysts are highly sought after. However, the industry's need extends beyond data analysis, encompassing a variety of tech roles that contribute to its growth.
Key tech roles in the professional services industry include:
- Technical Consultants / Technical Consulting Managers: These professionals implement tech solutions like Salesforce and guide customers through digital transformation projects. They manage teams, develop practices, and ensure delivery of multi-cloud solutions tailored to industries, driving scalable innovation and adoption of new technologies.
- Solution Architects: These individuals bridge business needs with technology expertise to design impactful, customized solutions. They ensure alignment of tech strategies with client goals, facilitating successful digital transitions and long-term business growth.
- AI Engineers: AI and machine learning models are applied in software products or services by AI Engineers, turning vast data into actionable insights and enabling automation, personalization, and predictive capabilities that enhance client offerings and operational effectiveness.
- Product Managers & Engineering Managers: Overseeing software product development and engineering teams, these professionals ensure solutions meet market needs and technical quality, essential for continuous innovation in professional services technology.
- Project/Tech Project Managers & Delivery Professionals: Coordinating and managing tech projects, these individuals ensure timely delivery and quality. They act as linchpins that keep complex tech initiatives on track, essential for meeting client expectations and competitive advantage.
- Software Architects: Defining technical frameworks and standards that support scalable, effective software solutions tailored to client needs in professional services, Software Architects play a crucial role in the industry's growth.
These roles contribute to professional services growth by enabling digital transformation, facilitating software adoption and optimization, and supporting custom solution development, thereby enhancing competitiveness.
The professional services industry is a top employer of tech talent in the increasingly digital world. McKinsey reports that 70% of workers in their data set have pivoted into tech roles from professional services, healthcare, or another STEM field. For tech talent in professional services firms, the combination of high-level thinking with practical hands-on work can be truly rewarding.
The global market for professional services automation (PSA) is forecasted to reach $1679.72 million by 2026. For those with no tech or industry experience, GA bootcamps can provide a pathway into the professional services industry, with individuals employment-ready in as little as three months.
Tech priorities in professional services include client/customer relationship management, analytics and business intelligence, enterprise resource planning, IoT and machine learning, and connected field service. Software engineers are valued for their ability to build digital infrastructure and consult on business applications.
Increasingly, professional services firms will need to combine internal and external data sets in their strategic planning. Digital products in the professional services industry are redefining how consultants conduct business, with remote work becoming common, particularly in countries like the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Sweden, and Ireland.
Data scientists are essential for creating machine learning algorithms that help professional services organizations work smarter, not harder. Business consultants are increasingly using legal tech software to automate pre-execution contract review, ensure compliance, and guide negotiations, freeing up time for strategy and client relationship building.
The professional services industry encompasses various sub-sectors including IT services, legal services, logistics management, and staffing and training firms. Talent in the professional services industry is focused on empowering business leaders to succeed. In 2023, the industry was worth $6,382.56 billion.
In conclusion, the professional services industry is undergoing a technological revolution, with tech roles spanning from strategic consulting to hands-on software development and project delivery. This transformation is fostering industry growth by advancing innovation, efficiency, and client-centric solutions.
- To address the challenges of effectively using data, a career change towards data science roles like data analysts might be beneficial in the professional services industry, given its projected growth.
- As a result of the technological evolution, the demand for tech skills extends beyond data analysis and includes roles such as technical consultants, solution architects, AI engineers, product managers, software architects, and project managers in data science, tech, and business.
- For those with no tech or industry experience, tech-focused education and self-development, such as tech bootcamps, can provide a pathway into the professional services industry, enhancing personal growth and career development.
- With digital transformation shaping the professional services landscape, professionals must focus on education, skills acquisition, and continuous learning in areas like business intelligence, IoT, machine learning, and legal tech software, ensuring competitiveness and career-development opportunities.
